Magda Szubanski cancer: Beloved Kath & Kim star thanks fans for support after heartbreaking diagnosis
Beloved Australian comedian Magda Szubanski has sent a 'massive' thank you to fans after receiving an overwhelming amount of messages of love and support after last week revealing her cancer diagnosis.
'Hello, my darlings, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the love and support — it's just been so moving and really youse are the wind beneath my wings,' she told her 296,000 followers on Instagram.
'Thank you very much, love youse all. Sorry I can't reply. It's pretty overwhelming, but I just feel so loved up.'
The beloved Australian comedian shared on social media on Thursday that she has been diagnosed with a fast-moving blood cancer.
'Lovelies. Well. Some not great news. I've been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma,' she wrote on Instagram.
'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me.'
The Kath & Kim star confirmed that she has started one of the best treatments available and will be receiving world-class care in Melbourne.
'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly,' she continued.
'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up. TBH, I've been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila!
'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll. Love you all, Mags'.
The comedy legend appeared on Fast Forward before her breakout role as the netball-loving Sharon Strezlecki in the iconic TV series Kath & Kim.
Szubanski appeared in Babe as Esme Hoggett in 1995, before reprising her role in the sequel Babe: Pig in the City in 1998.
She also dabbled in animation, voicing Miss Viola in the popular cartoons Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two.
Members of the Australian entertainment industry were quick to share their support and well wishes for an icon many have looked up to.
'Lots of love and support to you beautiful one,' fellow comedian Rove McManus commented on Szubanski's Instagram post.
Model and actress Megan Gale wrote, 'Sending an abundance of love, hugs and strength your way Magda.'
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie coach's Swift response to Lions eligibility jibe
Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy."
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Investment banker Simon Mordant's biggest art donation sets 'tongues wagging' across town
IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website. IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website. IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website. IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
BBC regrets not stopping Glastonbury live stream
The BBC says it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, and the group's comments were "anti-Semitic" and "utterly unacceptable". "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret this did not happen." Rapper Bobby Vylan on Saturday UK time led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the chants as "appalling hate speech" and broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is "very concerned" about the live stream. The BBC, which issued a warning on screen during the live stream, called Bobby Vylan's comments "deeply offensive". "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," its statement said, adding that it would look at its guidance around live events. Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC "clearly has questions to answer", adding: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines." The UK rap punk duo has released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he said in a statement posted to Instagram. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us." The BBC says it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, and the group's comments were "anti-Semitic" and "utterly unacceptable". "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret this did not happen." Rapper Bobby Vylan on Saturday UK time led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the chants as "appalling hate speech" and broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is "very concerned" about the live stream. The BBC, which issued a warning on screen during the live stream, called Bobby Vylan's comments "deeply offensive". "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," its statement said, adding that it would look at its guidance around live events. Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC "clearly has questions to answer", adding: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines." The UK rap punk duo has released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he said in a statement posted to Instagram. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us." The BBC says it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, and the group's comments were "anti-Semitic" and "utterly unacceptable". "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret this did not happen." Rapper Bobby Vylan on Saturday UK time led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the chants as "appalling hate speech" and broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is "very concerned" about the live stream. The BBC, which issued a warning on screen during the live stream, called Bobby Vylan's comments "deeply offensive". "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," its statement said, adding that it would look at its guidance around live events. Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC "clearly has questions to answer", adding: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines." The UK rap punk duo has released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he said in a statement posted to Instagram. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us." The BBC says it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, and the group's comments were "anti-Semitic" and "utterly unacceptable". "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret this did not happen." Rapper Bobby Vylan on Saturday UK time led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the chants as "appalling hate speech" and broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is "very concerned" about the live stream. The BBC, which issued a warning on screen during the live stream, called Bobby Vylan's comments "deeply offensive". "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," its statement said, adding that it would look at its guidance around live events. Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC "clearly has questions to answer", adding: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines." The UK rap punk duo has released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he said in a statement posted to Instagram. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us."
